Rice Casserole Italiano - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 qt. zucchini or 2 pkg. (10 oz. each; frozen)
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 c. chopped onions
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tsp. each salt and basil
1/2 tsp. gorund oregano
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 c. brown rice, cooked
1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
1 c. cottage cheese
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 c. grated Cheddar cheese

Preparation

Cook zucchini in boiling water about 2 to 3 minutes.
Drain well.
Cook meat, onions, garlic and seasonings in a large skillet until onions are transparent.
Stir in rice and tomato sauce. Blend cottage cheese and egg.
Arrange half of zucchini slices in a buttered shallow 2-quart casserole.
Spoon on meat mixture.
Spread cottage cheese over meat mixture.
Top with remaining zucchini and sprinkle with Cheddar cheese.
Bake at 350\u00b0 for 20 to 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Serves 6.